Are you ready to suffer for Christ?
Not just the great suffering and martyr’s death but the little
annoyances.
And most of all, the low opinion of the people around you.
The jokes, the rumors and the lies.
The persecution and the prejudice.
“My dear brother, we must not mind a little suffering for Christ’s sake.
When I am getting through a hedge, if my head and shoulders are safely through,
I can bear the pricking of my legs. Let us rejoice in the remembrance that our
holy Head has surmounted all His suffering and triumphed over death. Let us
follow Him patiently; we shall soon be partakers of His victory.”
Charles Simeon
Can you accept the persecution and opposition and slander and misunderstanding?
The disappointment and self-recrimination and weakness.
And danger as the normal portion of faithful life for Christ?
“Be patient in tribulation.”
Romans 12:12
How to grow downward in humility and upward in adoration of Christ?
How not to yield to the bitterness or to the temptation?
In our disappointments and discouragements as Christians there is a
great power for perseverance.
We need inspiration from one another.
We need to keep before us the lives of people who surmounted great
obstacles in obedience to God’s call by God’s grace.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:10
This post is part of Thursday Devotionals series. Right now it is going through the life, work and faith of Charles Simeon.
Would you like to read the first part, Are You Ready To Suffer For Christ?
You might also enjoy the second part of the series, Growing Downward.
I also recommend the thrird part for the children of this generation called, All Consuming Interest.
The fourth part is called, Peace Flowed In Rich Abundance.
If you have not yet read the fifth part , This Sweet Hope.
Take some time to read the sixth part also, Blessed Are The Peacemakers.
Hope you will enjoy reading the seventh part, A Double Blessing To Your Ministry.
Are you willing for, A Little Suffering For Christ's Sake.
I also recommend the thrird part for the children of this generation called, All Consuming Interest.
The fourth part is called, Peace Flowed In Rich Abundance.
If you have not yet read the fifth part , This Sweet Hope.
Take some time to read the sixth part also, Blessed Are The Peacemakers.
Hope you will enjoy reading the seventh part, A Double Blessing To Your Ministry.
Are you willing for, A Little Suffering For Christ's Sake.
Joanna, thank you for sharing this good word with us at Thought-Provoking Thursday. I love Romans 12 -- vs 1 and 2 remind me that my life is to be a living sacrifice. I don't know why I am surprised when suffering is part of the package. :) - I am thankful that our Father has a transforming purpose for all of our suffering. He redeems all.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you in the new year!
I really loved taking part in the link-up! Thank you, Lyli for visiting my blog and reading the post. God bless you too in this new year!
DeleteYes. Yes I am. Thanks for asking! (-:
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about Saeed Abedini, the Iranian/American pastor who is in prison in Iran. Would I be willing to trade places with him if I could experience the kind of grace the apostle Paul talked about in seeing weakness turned to strength? Hmmmm...
Thank you for visiting my blog, Charlie! I wonder the same thing often, especially when I read about the Chinese Christians and how they suffer for their faith. But then I remember how unworthy I am. I think that kind of suffering is for people who really are worthy of it. I don't think if I would grow closer to God in such situation when I struggle with it in my current situation.
DeleteI know God allows me just as much suffering as I can stand, and I'm not strong enought to stand prision and torture, yet. But I want that kind of faith, from the bottom of my heart. And I know it sounds crazy but it truly is a priviledge to suffer for Christ.
We truly do need inspiration from each other and to stand up for what we believe! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Thank you for your visit and comment, Jann. Glad to be part of the link-up!
DeleteI haven't heard of Charles Simeon before, but I really appreciated the quote you shared above. Could you share the title of the book it's from? Thanks for sharing this post at Booknificent Thursday.
ReplyDeleteTina
Thank you for the comment, Tina. You can find the quote both in Charles Simeon: Meditations of the Life by John Piper and Charles Simeon: Pastor of a Generation by Handley Moule
Delete